By Kim Young Deok and Yoon Sojung

With social distancing to prevent the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ending, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neunghoo on May 4 announced a shift toward "distancing in daily life" from May 6.

The minister, who is concurrently first vice head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, announced this at the government's daily briefing on the disease.

The new setup is a long-term and sustainable prevention system for "a new normal" that guarantees the resumption of the people's daily routine and economic activities while continuing measures to prevent COVID-19.

On the background of the transition to the new system, Minister Park said the decision was based on the stabilization of the situation given the lower daily average of new confirmed cases of under ten since April 19 and that of new herd infections.

Under the new distancing system, people from May 6 can resume their daily routines like having group meals, attending gatherings and going out. Among public facilities closed because of the pandemic and set for gradual reopening are national parks, art galleries, museums and other outdoor facilities. Indoor facilities such as sports venues, public theaters and performance halls will be reopened later.

"The transition to 'distancing in daily life' doesn't mean the easing of preventive measures or the end of (social) distancing," the minister said. "If the situation worsens, we'll go back to strict social distancing and urge everyone to diligently maintain distancing in daily life."

kyd1991@korea.kr